The periods for many Algol eclipsing binary stars, two stars
orbiting each other, have not been updated since 1950. Analysis of the
light curves of the eclipsing binary stars can determine a more accurate
period for the star system. This research is divided into three
sections: the observation, reduction and analysis of light curves. In
the observational section, six eclipsing binary star systems are
selected and CCD images are taken of the selected stars over six night
observing sessions using a 24-inch telescope. The reduction of the data
includes noise reduction and flattening. It also includes the process of
collecting the counts produced by the star in each image, which are then
converted to magnitudes. The last part of the process is the production
of light curves for each star, which provides information on the period,
mass, and radii of the eclipsing binary star. The observation and
reduction processes of this research are complete and prove to be
reliable. Through the analysis of the light curve for the star GW Tau a
more accurate period is being determined.

Stephanie M. Fawcett, Boulder High School.

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